I'm looking to install a tow hook for high starts, I've searched the web but i'm not getting many hits. Ideally i would like it to be moveable so i can adjust the C of G once final trims are done etc. Does anyone know of where i can get one? The only ones that are coming up are basic and you can't adjust them. I'm not adverse to abit of home engineering so if anyone has any homemade designs i'd happily have a go.

Banksy,
My favourite solution is a modified cup hook from the hardware shop. The ones with a screw on one end, then straight bit to a right angled bend. The straight bit is too long, so I line a packet of them up between two bits of scrap ply or hard balsa with just enough inside the sandwich (say 5mm) to form the vertical straight bit of my hook. Then squash the sandwich in a vice with the excess straight bits sticking up vertically and hammer them all over flat to one side. Pick a length for the horizontal part of your hooks, then cut off the excess with a Dremel cutoff wheel. Tidy up the cut ends and all done - four or five strong, cheap hooks.
For the adjustable part, drill a row of holes around 5mm apart in the belly of your sailplane (you need a wood block inside to take the screw thread) and screw your hook into the recommended position. Relocate as required.
Sorry about lotsa words, but I don't have pictures handy. However, I'll see if some nice person (perhaps Lincoln) can add a neat sketch a few posts down the page!
Cheers,
PeteM

I used to make my own with just a drill and a file.
Iposted it somewhere here long time ago but I can't find them now. I'll keep looking if not, I'll see if I can find one and take few pics of it...
Fernando

Here you go...
I found one, unfortunately I don't have the glider that this one fits any more so you'll need to use a bit of imagination on how it looks fitted.
They worked well for me on my 3m and 4m gliders with a monster hose.

I've been doing this for years. Works just fine. Less weight and drag than most other tow hooks, though a fairing around the vertical part might be worthwhile. I know the sketch is terrible, but I think it gets the idea across. The wood block inside needs to be strong, and to resist splitting. Aircraft ply is pretty good. I use these even on 3M gliders, though of course the larger the glider, the larger the cup hook I use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petem

Banksy,
My favourite solution is a modified cup hook from the hardware shop. The ones with a screw on one end, then straight bit to a right angled bend. The straight bit is too long, so I line a packet of them up between two bits of scrap ply or hard balsa with just enough inside the sandwich (say 5mm) to form the vertical straight bit of my hook. Then squash the sandwich in a vice with the excess straight bits sticking up vertically and hammer the all over flat to one side. Pick a length for the horizontal part of your hooks, then cut off the excess with a Dremel cutoff wheel. Tidy up the cut ends and all done - four or five strong, cheap hooks.
For the adjustable part, drill a row of holes around 5mm apart in the belly of your sailplane (you need a wood block inside to take the screw thread) and screw your hook into the recommended position. Relocate as required.
Sorry about lotsa words, but I don't have pictures handy.
Cheers,
PeteM

Woah, thanks for all the advice and comments, this is a cool and welcoming forum to the new guy. I've managed to source a hook from ebay (along with other various gizmos, the missus will kill me). Hopefully I should get out for my maiden this weekend, weather depending.